Research Interest: My laboratory is focused on studying the functions and mechanisms of action of two neuropeptide genes, the preoptic regulatory factors, PORF-1 and PORF-2. These genes give rise to two unique peptides which are expressed in the mammalian brain and whose expression is regulated by age, gender and hormonal status in a brain region dependent manner. Areas of special interest include the hypothalamus, a major regulatory region for neuroendocrine and metabolic functions and the hippocampus, a key area in learning and memory.